Machine for handling articles in bulk



(ModeL) 4Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. IMHORST. w Machine for Handling Articles in Bulk.

No. 231,721; Patented Aug. 31,1880.

MPETERS, PHDTO-LITHDGRAPJIEH WASHINGTONv D, C.

(ModeL) 4 Shegts-Sheet 2.

in Bulk. Patented Aug. 31,

PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

(ModeL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3'. I. IMHORST.

Machine fdr Handling Articles in Bulk.

No, 231,721. Patented Aug. 31,1880.-

N. PETERS, FHOTOLITHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D c

7 (Model.) 4 Sheets-Silent 4.

No.231,721 'Pate nted Aug. 31,1880.

jgjz.

STATES I traces PATENT MACHINE FOR HANDLING ARTICLES IN BULK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,721, dated August 31, 1880. Application filed June 19,1880. (Model) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FERDINAND IMHORS'I, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented new and useful machinery and other devices for handling and stowing away and for separating merchandise in bulk, such as coal, grain, ores, earth, gravel, or the like, of which the followingis a practical specification.

My invention consists in improvements in machinery for conveying, lifting, separating,

and distributing articles in bulk by means of an extension-elevator having attachments for feeding the buckets while in motion and mounted upon a platform, on which are also secured the engine and boiler for the working of necessary machinery and devices acting as conveyers and separators, the work being completely finished by' means of machinery and devices used for the leveling of merchandise in bulk.

The first feature of these improvements consists in aself-feedin g extension-elevator which can be lengthened or lowered as may be required to meet the necessity of a higher or lower lift of the articles to be moved. Additional sections of belt are provided to till the opening made byextension of the elevator,

and a new feature in buckets is provided to facilitate the easy telescoping of same, part of the flanges of the rim of the buckets resting at the same time on the top of each other. The frontedge of these buckets is also strengthened by means of a movable sectional rim or shoe for protecting the edge of the buckets while plowing through any unyielding mass like coal, earth, or ore.

To secure a firm hold of the pulley on the chains I have provided each link of the chain with projections or cross-pieces, which, in turn, fit nicely in corresponding slots or depressions of the pulleys.

With the elevator proper I have .combined devices for automatically feeding the buckets of the elevator by means of rollers having projections and revolving toward the elevator, thereby obviating the necessity of manual laher in feeding the elevator-buckets. This is done by means of one or more rollers having projections on their surface and revolving toward the elevator-buckets, and movingarticles within its reach into the buckets of the elevatorproper. This feeding can also be done by means of conveyers whose buckets orrakes while moving toward the buckets of the elevator will forward all articles within its reach.

For conveying to a distance articles from the upper mouth of the elevator, I have combined with the elevator conveyers which, when in motion, will forward articles to their destination.

For working the elevator-belts and other devices connected with the elevator by the aid of steam or other motive power, I have provided a combination of machinery and other devices, such as engine, steam-boiler, ir ovable arms or frame connecting the driving power with the elevator, belts, pulleys, 8&9. These devices I have mounted upon a platform which is pivoted upon another platform and resting on wheels, so that it may be easily moved about whenever desirable.

The second feature of my invention consists of placing conveyers within the hold of a vessel or other receptacles in such a manner that they may be easily worked by power outside the vessel-t0 wit,-by the machinery of the elevator or by other devices. To facilitate the ready handling of these conveyers I have limited their length to portable size, and provided each conveyer with a number of cogwheels for the purpose of transmitting motion thereby to each connecting-conveyer.

For separating the larger articles from the smaller while passing over the conveyers, I have provided conveyers with movable screens or stationary screens of similar construction, when movable, as the window-blinds, which, when opened, will allow the smaller particles to fall through, while the larger are moved forward by means of the endless chains and bars, which constitute the belt of the conveyer.

The adjustable sieve or separator I desire to utilize in combination with the conveyers or chutes, or without them, as may be desired.

The third feature of my invention consists in providing devices for finishing the leveling of articles after the conveyers have performed their work and are removed. This work is necessary for providing an even distribution of the articles within the hold of the vessel or other receptacles. This object I accomplish by means of the combination of a roller having projections, such as teeth, loops, or shovels, at its surface. This roller is pivoted to movable arms and connected with machinery and belt ing for working the roller. The roller is used for moving the smaller particles, while for moving the larger pieces I have provided a rod and hingedto its end a plate which presents to the mass its large surface when the rod is pushed forward, and when the rod is drawn of the roller with shovels and loops. Fig. 5'

shows vertical section of vessel and side view of eonveyers, pipes, gate, and comiecting devices and machinery for moving and separating the articles. Fig. 6 shows longitudinal section of a vessel and the side view of conveyers as connected and as suspended from the upper beams, also showing the position where the adjustable sieve is situated when in connection with conveyers. Fig. 7 shows a sectional vertical view of the movable slats and frame of adjustable sieve or separator. Fig. 7 shows the plan view of the conveyer, chains, and cross-bars, also cog-wheels, pulleys, and shaftings. Fig. 7" shows the plan view' of the adjustable sieve and connecting devices. Fig. 8 shows vertical longitudinal view of the extension-elevator, devices for feeding the buckets, such as feeding-conveyers and feed-rollers, also shows boiler, engine, machinery, and other devices for working the elevator. Fig. 9 shows the sectional plan view of the elevator proper and of the extension part as held by grooved side pieces. Fig. 10 shows longitudinal section and side view of elevator chains and buckets, also movable sectional rim of the buckets and the curvatures of thelower part of the buckets for partial telescoping of same. Fig. 11 shows the front view of the elevator-buckets, chains, and sectional rim. Fig. 12 shows the buckets telescoped. Fig. 13 shows chains and cross-bars as used for conveyers. Fig. D shows part of chain, each link of the chain being provided with a cross-bar or projection fitting, as shown in Fig.- E, into the excavations or depressions of the rim of the pulley, and of which Fig. F shows the front view.

In Fig. 8 the letter I shows the elevator proper with extension I, which is held in its place by grooved side pieces, V. 1' shows the notches to receive the point of lever 0. This lever is pivoted to the sides of the extension, and is intended to hold the extension part of the elevator up to the length of the extensionbelt as required.

The elevator is connected by means of movable arms Z) to the device H, which, in its place, is firmly fastened to the platform 00, on which are also fastened the boiler, engine, and other devices necessary for working the beltings of the elevator and connecting devices. Theplatform w is held by means of a pivot to another platform, which is mounted upon wheels, thereby facilitating the removal of the whole apparatus from place to place. As the upper platform is held to the lower only by a pivot, therefore it can be moved around its own axis, securing thereby to the elevator the largest possible surface to work upon.

The feeding of the elevator-buckets automatically is accomplished by means ofroller K, having projections, as teeth, loops, or shovels, on its surface, as shown in drawings, Fig. 4, Sheet 1. A'larger scope for feeding automatically maybe obtained by combining with the elevator and feed-roller the conveyer f, consisting of a frame, plate, or chute, around which are revolving endless chains and crossbars, or with chains and buckets, or common flexible belting, &c. The roller and the belting of the feeding attachment, when moved in the direction of the several arrow-heads, will forward all articles within its reach toward the buckets of the elevator, which, in turn, lift the articles to the top of the elevator and then dump their contents on the conveyer L,

which, in its turn, deposits the articles into the vessel A. The uses and the construction of the conveyers are further shown on Sheet 2, Fig. 9, showing the plan view of the extension T and the elevator I, to which are fastened the grooved side pieces, V, preventing the extension from slipping from its intended position when raised or lowered, as desired.

The elevator-chains r are shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as having hooks and eyes for linking the ends together, thereby forming an adjustable endless chain, to which are fastened theelevator-buckets. These buckets have their lower three sides curved and smaller than the top parts, as shown by M. This shape is for the purpose that the flanges or rim of each bucket may rest upon the adjoining bucket, while the lower parts of the buckets may telescope into each other, as shown in Fig. 12.

The edges of the buckets not being strong enough to plow without injury through an unyielding mass like ore, coal, or the like, therefore I have strengthened the front edge of the buckets by means of a movable sectional rim or shoe, m, lapped also over the inside of edge of the rim. The cutting-edge of this rim or shoe may be either smooth or provided with teeth, this shoe having side pieces, a, which are pivoted to the sides of the buckets by means of pins or bolts, allowing thereby the shoe a free motion of several degrees, acting also as a spring while plowing through an unyielding mass like coal, ore, earth, or the like.

The construction of the links of the chains are shown in Fig. D by using the links of a common bar-chain, T, but having added a cross-bar or extra projection, r, to each link,

which, in its turn, fits closely into notches r of pulleys Q, as shown in Figs. E and F.

Fig. 13 shows chain r as used for conveyers, to which are fastened cross-bars, (shown curved byt t,) for the purpose of better conveyance of small particles.

I have shown on Sheet 2 themodus opcrcmdt' of transferring merchandise in bulk from the pier to the hold of a vessel by means of the conveyors, and shown in Fig. 5, crosssection of vessel A, also pier and railroad-car R, as having unloaded upon the pier and within reach of the conveyers L which is worked by the shaft W, as fastened to the pier and by the requisite motive power.

Conveyors L on pier take the coal and transfer it to next conveyor L placed above deck, which, in turn, deposits its contents upon conveyers L as working within the hold of the vessel.

To facilitate the transfer of the articles from the heights above deck to the distance below deck, I have placed the terminal of the conveyer above deck within hood A which rests on rim A If a stoppage of the flow is desirable, then the gate (1 in rim or pipe A is closed and the transfer of the articles is entirely cut off. a

As the con veyers above and below deck have for working purposes to be kept at required distances, therefore I have fastened a number of brackets, g, to rim or pipe A brackets, while resting on the deck of the vessel, keepthe rim firmly suspended in thehatchway of the vessel, securing thereby a firm hold for working all devices above and below deck.

W shows the screen by means of which the larger particles are separated from the smaller.

In Fig. 6, A the rim or pipe, with gate d, is shown as being suspended below deck, and

working in connection are conveyers L L L by means of ropes and pulley-blocks T.

The side edge of the sieve or separator is shown by W, and in Fig. 7 W WV show the blinds or slats acting as adjustable sieve by being opened or closed at will by means of cranks 1919, which, in turn, are pivoted to 0011- necting-rod 10, which is used for opening or closing all the blinds or slats at the same time. Fig. 7 shows a plan view of the conveyer L in which U shows the opening to be filled by the sieve or separator whenever required.

For moving the articles I have combined with the frame-board or chute L an endless chain, a, with cross-bars 2, which are set in motion by shaftings P, to which are fastened the pulleys Q and the cog-wheels S, used for transmitting motion to the connecting con veyers.

The plan view of the adjustable sieve or separator is shown in Fig. 7 showingthe frame, inside of which are pivoted the slats W, and

These.

'or loops, as shown by F in Figs. 3 and 4.

Said roller, when in motion, will move the particles in the desired directions.

G shows the movable plate as fastened to the pushing-rod O and used for the purpose of presenting a larger surface to the articles than the end of a manageable rod would have. It

is convenient to have the plate hinged to the rod, so that it may be easily recovered whenever the rod would be immersed too deeply within the articles to be leveled.

a shows cross-beams as fastened by clamps a to the edge of a hatch of a vessel. On top of these cross-beams is fastened, by means of i a screw-bolt, the movable platform on which the machinery for operating all the devices is secured.

b shows the cog-wheels as acting upon the sectional cog-wheels e, which are fastened to ends of arms E and used to raise and lower same to any desirable angle.

a shows the cog-wheels as operating upon the cogged parts of the pushing-rod (J, and when in motion the rods are thereby moved forward or backward, as desired.

Fig. 2 shows the vertical section of the ma chinery, and in which a shows the cramps or screw-bolts for securing the platform to the deck of the vessel with the cross-bars (F. B shows the shafting and gearing by which the rods 0 0 are set in motion. D shows the steam-cylinder, which maybe used in place of manual labor for operating the machinery and connecting devices.

Fig. 3 shows the plan view of the whole apparatus, and B B show the platform on and to which the machinery is secured and used for operating the rods 0 G, which have the plates G G hinged to their ends. The several arms E E are shown in connection with shaftings, pulleys, and beltings or chains as used for operating upon the roller F, which has attached to its surface projections, teeth, shovels, or loops F, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The elevator, in combination with extension belt or chains, arranged in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the elevator, the roller having projections, teeth, or shovels for feeding to the elevator-buckets, substantially as described. i y

3. The combination of the elevator for feeding to the elevator-buckets and the conveyer, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

IIO

4. The combination of extension -elevator and movable arms, machinery, and connecting devices mounted upon a platform, substantially as described.

- 5. The elevatonbucket curved at its lower part, and provided at its front edge with a projecting rim, substantially as described.

6, The movable sectional rim or shoe, in combination with the elevator-buckets, substantially as described.

7. Thelinksof the chain provided with crossbars or projections, substantially as described.

8. The notched side flanges on the pulley for the reception of the cross-bars or projections of the links of a bar-chain, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination of chutes or covered frames with shai'tings, pulleys, cog-wheels, and endless belting" or chains and cross-bars, forming a conveyer, substantially as described.

10. The combination of a conveyer with a sieve or separator, substantially as described.

11. The adjustable sieve formed by one or more movable slats or bars pivoted to stationary side pieces of a frame or the like, and operated by means of cranks and connectingrods, substantially as described.

12. The combination of the roller provided with projections, teeth, loops, or shovels with movable arms and mechanism, as described, for leveling and moving articles in bulk, substantially as described.

13. The combination of rod and movable plate with mechanism, as described,for moving articles in bulk, as and for the purposes set forth.

14. In combination with conveyors, the rim or pipe A gate (1, hood A substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

FERDINAND lMHORST.

Witnesses J EFF SCHULTZ, J r., WM. J UD FISHER. 

